Jeffrey—I definitely take your point about desiring a higher order of discussion on ALA, but OpenID might actually encourage that at this point—since it would make it a lot easier for those of us with OpenIDs to get in and focus on the comment we’re thinking of making before having to register.
I guess my point is that they’re not mutually exclusive. You can still offer registration as you already do, but for those with IDs stored elsewhere, you can make it easier for us to get up a running—and to prove that we’re from a certain URL/web address.
Good info with clear examples.
Only a few visitors will ever register on a website.
We are now discussing how to make our “Free Trial” as simple as possble. We need some basic info: email, url, username.
But can we ask more? Like company name, real name, country.
As mentionned, OpenID should be an option avoiding to register on our website. OpenID will get more traction as he organisation is getting into marketing thigs now.
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Marat Ryndin
Agree 100% with most of the article, however, using Fidelity MyPlan as an example shows that the author did not take the time to understand what it actually does. In the case of MyPlan it’s not a sign up form, but a way to collect some basic info in order to proceed. Without that info MyPlan simply cannot be used and since you can’t have a talking computer ask users a few of these basic questions that was the most fun, visual way they could have done it.
This is a very good article. I strongly agree with the author. This is a big help when I interact with business clients. Thanks for this wonderful tip! Keep it up!
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Cool Byte
Cool article, I agree with the author as sign up and sign in processes are boring! I can point you to another site (http://www.webyam.com) that allows you use its services without sign up and sign in!!
I came across this post after seeing it referenced on another site adactio.com (1) The most elegant sign up form I have seen so far doesn’t look like a form…rather a simple fill in the blanks. Very non threatening, concise and quick.
Any doubts were disnmissed about the effectiveness of this form when I asked an 83 yr old Grandmother to sign up. Not a single question nor problem.
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Rochelle Pennington
The website examples used in this article were for free online services. I don’t like sign up forms either and would like to get straight to the point….but does not having a sign up form apply to services that cost money? (say, a monthly price) Would this confuse and “trick” potential customers into thinking that there is no cost..until we asked for them to pay a couple hundred bucks after they’ve gone in, used our product, and is ready to share with the world?
I’d like to make a comment on one of the earlier statements.
Rochelle is asking a very good question about how to deal with using fewer forms in the case of paid services.
In my opinion, a big part of the internet business community is already moving towards making more and more free material available to their customers to generate trust and demonstrate both quality and concern toward them.
So far, the only remaining “price” for users is the signup form, which, indeed, seems like the bare minimum in the case of a paid service oriented website.
But ultimately, isn’t it conceivable to deliver the same free material without even asking prospects for an email?
1- If the material is really good, prospects will come back for more and then it’s only fair to request that they give some information, which is necessary anyway since they require a paid service and become actual customers.
2- wouldn’t such a system attract even more potential buyers?
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Kalle hansson
This article is about what this comment function is not about?
- Why do I have to sign up to comment an article?
– Why can´t I start writing before i sign up, like the article says?
– When I have signed up I have to find my way back to the article I wanted to comment?
– But on the other hand, what I wanted to say is that I would be frustrated with thw video service who says “create your movie” and the wants me to register before I can use it (ie publish it). It didn´t say “create movie and sign up”. But now I have put in effort and time to make this movie and are left with the choice of throwing my work away or give them my details and more time…
Bad idea.
80 Reader Comments
Back to the ArticleChris Messina
Jeffrey—I definitely take your point about desiring a higher order of discussion on ALA, but OpenID might actually encourage that at this point—since it would make it a lot easier for those of us with OpenIDs to get in and focus on the comment we’re thinking of making before having to register.
I guess my point is that they’re not mutually exclusive. You can still offer registration as you already do, but for those with IDs stored elsewhere, you can make it easier for us to get up a running—and to prove that we’re from a certain URL/web address.
John Stewart
Good info with clear examples.
Only a few visitors will ever register on a website.
We are now discussing how to make our “Free Trial” as simple as possble. We need some basic info: email, url, username.
But can we ask more? Like company name, real name, country.
As mentionned, OpenID should be an option avoiding to register on our website. OpenID will get more traction as he organisation is getting into marketing thigs now.
Marat Ryndin
Agree 100% with most of the article, however, using Fidelity MyPlan as an example shows that the author did not take the time to understand what it actually does. In the case of MyPlan it’s not a sign up form, but a way to collect some basic info in order to proceed. Without that info MyPlan simply cannot be used and since you can’t have a talking computer ask users a few of these basic questions that was the most fun, visual way they could have done it.
Monroe Johnson
I thought the article was very informative.
It really showed me some things that I need to keep in mind when consulting with clients.
Jemm Cellan
This is a very good article. I strongly agree with the author. This is a big help when I interact with business clients. Thanks for this wonderful tip! Keep it up!
Cool Byte
Cool article, I agree with the author as sign up and sign in processes are boring! I can point you to another site (http://www.webyam.com) that allows you use its services without sign up and sign in!!
G. Wayne Clatyon
I came across this post after seeing it referenced on another site adactio.com (1) The most elegant sign up form I have seen so far doesn’t look like a form…rather a simple fill in the blanks. Very non threatening, concise and quick.
Any doubts were disnmissed about the effectiveness of this form when I asked an 83 yr old Grandmother to sign up. Not a single question nor problem.
It’s found at http://huffduffer.com/signup/
G. Wayne Clayton -Social Marketing Expert
(1) http://adactio.com/journal/1521/
Rochelle Pennington
The website examples used in this article were for free online services. I don’t like sign up forms either and would like to get straight to the point….but does not having a sign up form apply to services that cost money? (say, a monthly price) Would this confuse and “trick” potential customers into thinking that there is no cost..until we asked for them to pay a couple hundred bucks after they’ve gone in, used our product, and is ready to share with the world?
Damien Bureau
Hi everyone,
I’d like to make a comment on one of the earlier statements.
Rochelle is asking a very good question about how to deal with using fewer forms in the case of paid services.
In my opinion, a big part of the internet business community is already moving towards making more and more free material available to their customers to generate trust and demonstrate both quality and concern toward them.
So far, the only remaining “price” for users is the signup form, which, indeed, seems like the bare minimum in the case of a paid service oriented website.
But ultimately, isn’t it conceivable to deliver the same free material without even asking prospects for an email?
1- If the material is really good, prospects will come back for more and then it’s only fair to request that they give some information, which is necessary anyway since they require a paid service and become actual customers.
2- wouldn’t such a system attract even more potential buyers?
“Honest Reviews”:http://www.HonestFreeReviews.com
Kalle hansson
This article is about what this comment function is not about?
- Why do I have to sign up to comment an article?
– Why can´t I start writing before i sign up, like the article says?
– When I have signed up I have to find my way back to the article I wanted to comment?
– But on the other hand, what I wanted to say is that I would be frustrated with thw video service who says “create your movie” and the wants me to register before I can use it (ie publish it). It didn´t say “create movie and sign up”. But now I have put in effort and time to make this movie and are left with the choice of throwing my work away or give them my details and more time…
Bad idea.